Device for making an electrical circuit or circuits.



W. S. RYAN. DEVICE FOR MAKING AN ELEGTRIGAL CIRCUIT 0R CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB 4, 1907.

Patented June 29, 1909.

2 BHEETS-SHBET 1.

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A TTORNE V W. 8. RYAN. DEVICE FOR MAKING AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT 0R CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1907.

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A TTO RNE Y 4 non-conductive ding UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER S. RYAN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO RYAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION.

DEVICE FOR HAKIN G AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUTI.OR CIRCUITS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER S. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of findianapolis, in the county of Marion, State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Device for Making an Electrical Circuit or Circuits, of which the following is a specification. I My invention relates to improvements in devices for making electrical circuits wherein a fluid electrical conductor contained in a movable switch member is the medium of connection between the terminals.

Thefeatures of my invention include a pivoted duplex switch bar having a fluid electrical conductor so retained and having contacts so positioned therein, andterminal post connections adapted to be engaged by said contacts so that with the oscillation of the switch-bar circuits through the terminals may be established consecutively and means actuated b the switch-bar to cause thrla oscillation of t e latter, at regular interva s.

The invention is shown herein embodied in a sign-flasher by the operation whereof the alternate illumination successively and the extinguishment of all simultaneously of two series or banks of incandescent lamps, arranged for purposes as a-sign are accomplished.

The objects of this invention are accomlished by the mechanism described in this s ecification,-.pointed out in the appended c aims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 7

Similar characters of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views, in WhlCh-r Figure 1 is a side view and 2 is a plan view of my invention; inthe latter yiew the nal supports being not shown in solid blac nal vertical sectional view of the switchbar removed. Fig. 4 is adetached'plan view of the switch-bar removed, all but a small ortion of the shaft 5 being broken away. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the switch- ...bar taken on the line'5-.-5 Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the sw1tch-bar taken on the line 6- 6 Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the diagonal support taken on the line 7-7 Fig. 1. Fig. 8 1s a transverse central sectional view of 1' taken from the direction as indicated Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed larch 4, 1907. Serial No. 360,361.

. Fig. 3v is a longitudi-.

Patented June 29,1909.

by the arrow, the non-conductive diagonal supports being not shown in solid black. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing the system of wiring, the parts being distorted in form and their relative positions changed.

Mounted on the base 1 having proper dimensions and made of material of suitable solidity, are the diagonal sup )orts 2 made of non-conductive material such as slate, and disposed with reference to e-ach other at an angle of substantially forty five degrees. These supports are retained in accurate alinem'ent and rigid position by the standard 3 having suitable feet bolted to the base, the intervening plate of insulation 3* being interposed, and the standard having its vertical face bolted to the rear sides of the diagonal su ports. The vertical leg of this standar is extended upward] and supports the transverse-box 4 in wl iich is .journaled a suitable shaft 5, its forward end being rigidly secured to the switch-bar and its rear end having a rigidly secured'hub 6" to which is secured the segments 6 insulated therefrom by the hard-fiber collar .6", as plainly shown in Fig. 8.

Positioned perpendicularly below the line of the peripheries of the segments are the solenoids 7 and 8 rigidly sustained on suitable standards. The cores 9 and 10 of these solenoids, respectively, are loosely secured at their upper ends to suitable flexible cords which engage the eripheries of the segments and are secured t ereto at their u per ends. These flexible cords consist pre erably of chains 6 and a shallow groove is provided in each of the segments as suitable guides therefor. With this arrangement it will be readily observed that as the cores may be alternately actuated,- the switch-bar will be accordingly oscillated, the purpose whereof will be hereinafter more fully set forth. The bodyortion 11 'of this switch-bar is constructs of a conductive metal that will be unaffected by thecontact therewith of quicksilver; aluminium has been employed in this construction on account of its lightness of weight. Iron or steel may be used as well. The enlar ed central part of the body portion 11 is thiclrened on its rear side where the shaft 5 is rigidly secured, and the upper and lower portions are formed so as to provide the walls of the chamber 12; the ex tended portions form upper and lower ribs,

each pair integrally joined at their outer ends, whereby the long-chambers and 14 'posite directions, are the' channels 17' and 1.8,

and which open into the extreme; ends of the chambers 13 and 14 respectively as' plainly shown in Fig.3. i

19 designates a smaller channelextending continuously from end to end through the upper part of the m'etalportion 11, its Opposite engls communicating with the extreme ends of the long-chambers 13 and 14;- there is also the channel 19 from channel 19 down through the partial partition 16. 7

20 and 21' designate plates made of nonconducting material, preferably of hard fiber, rabbeted upon their inner faces so'that when they are secured into snug'c'ontacton" the front and rear sides of the body-portion of the switch-barthey form the sides of the chambers 13 and 14, the chamber 12, the channels 18, 19 and 119, as shown in Fig. 3 andFig.5'.

22 designates suitable metallic bolts which serve as means to securely draw and maintam these side-plates 20 and 21 securely inposition and also asicontact-posts, which will be hereinafter referred to.

23 designates a suitable screw-plug normally closes an opening in the plate 20 communicating with the chamber 12, allording access for the introduction into said chamber of a quantity of liquid conductive material. Quicksilver has been found to be preferable. Preparatory to depositing the quicksilver in the switch-bar it is placed in the inclined position as shown in 1. When such quantity of quicksilver-has been poured into the switch-bar that all of the contact-posts 22 in the chamber 13 have been submerged and the dotted line A-A as shown in Fig. '3 has been reached, the screwplug 23 is. secured in its normal position and the switch-bar is complete.

It is obvious that whenthe switch-bar is oscillated and brought into position reverse to that shown'in Fig. 1, the quicksilver will flow downwardly from the long-chamber 13 over the'partial partition 15, and, deflected.-

by the partial partition 16'will pass into the chamber '12 and then into the channel 1S,

and from thence into the then lower end of the long-chamber 14 to the extent desired, and. as shown in its filling of the long-cham- Midway between, the ends of thesewhich ber 13. By providing the air-channels 19 and 19 a vacuum in eitherend of the switch bar is prevented and the free and unobstructed flow of the quicksilver is at all times .is drawn downwardly and comes in rest on the cushion 2 1, the, COIltflill-POStS 22 have" come into direct, contact with these. strips which are secured by metallic bolts passinp through the diagonal sif porl's 2,.bai1d provided at their t'recends yithsuitable means whereby proper wiring may be secured theieto, as will be hereinafter referred to. i

...The resilieut contact-strips 28 and 29 are extended in length and are i'ornied with suitable cuiwature longitudinally and trans-' veiisely so that in the oscillation of the switch-bar the severance of the contactof one, and thenialqiug' of contact by the other with the contact-posts 22 nearest the "lulcrurn will occur when the switchocireaches a l101iZODl121l position. I

The device above described is designed 'lor use as a sign flasher, and the dia ai'ninatic idewshown in Fig. 8, disrloses the 810111 of the wiring and the courses of the circuits. By reference tothis view. taken in connectionwith the other -icws, the iu ioral' ion of .n'iy invention may be readily UllllOlhioOll.

when the switch-bar is in the position I .n 1F},- 1 --.m t .1 051 snoua in 1 1 an ouuao n\\l (n is closed, thereby closuur the circuit. The. current-passes along the wire 30 through the standard ,3, the shall; and the body-portion -11 cf the switch-bar; the quicksilver has fiown from the chamber 12 into the, channel 17 and risen in the hing-chamber 13, and as. it contacts with the first one'oi tl properly wired to the strips 26 aiecousccu tively illuminated. The quicksilver having come in contact .Yltll the last of the vcontact posts 22, the current then passes through the.

contact-strip 23, the wire I55, the solenoid 7' and thewn'cs 3,3 and -34. "he (om-o being magnetized the switch-lmr is inuucdiatcly to series of contact-posts 22 the current is caused to p with the contactposts 22. the series ol'lani 'is" actuated; the iuipulscrccciybdpullsit away from the position just described, thereby severing contact with the posts 22 and the contact-strips 26, thus opening substantially simultaneously each of said circuits. As the switch-bar passes the horizontal line, in its. oscillation, the connection between the extreme interior contact-post 22 and the contact-strip 28 is severed. As the switch-bar, by the impulse given it, and by virtue of its inertia, continues its movement and reaches its normal reverse position resting on the cushion, the quicksilver then flows from the long-chamber 13 into the chamber 12 and then into the channel 18, thence continuing to flow into the long-chamber 14 and to seek its level, as hereinbefore described. In its rise, as it comes into contact with the first one of thecontact' posts 22, the current is aiforded a circuit through the wire and lamps 36, the wire 37, and thence along the wire 34. As the quicksilver proceeds in seekingits level and gradually rises in the Long-chamber 14 it comes into contact with the contactosts 22 consecutively, and the series of amps properly wired to the contact-strips 27 are consecutively illuminated. The quicksilver having come into contact with the last of the contact-posts 22, the current then passes through the contact-strip 29, the wire 38, the solenoid 8 and the wires 33 and 34. The core 10 being magnetized the switch-bar is immediately actuated, and the impulse so received pulls it away from its position thereby severing contacts with the contact-posts 22 and the contact-strips 27,

thus opening substantially simultaneously each of the circuits. As the switch-bar passes the horizontal line in its oscillation, contact between the last contact-post 22 and the contact-strip 29 is severed. As the switch-bar, by the impulse given it and by virtue of its inertia continues its movement and again assumes the osition as shown in .Fig. 1, the quicksilver i ows from the longchamber 14 against the deflector-partition 16 into the channel 17 and rises in the longchamber 13, whereupon the operation hereinbefore described is repeated.

What I claim as my Invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An electric switch including a switchbar .fulcrumed in the middle and vertically oscillatory and provided at its fulcrum with a chamber and two cavities extending from said chamber to the ends of said switch bar said cavities being parallel with one above the other and connected at the outer ends of the switch-bar, a liquid electrical conductor in said switch-bar and adapted to flow through the lower cavities from the central chamber to theouter ends in alternate directions as the switch-bar is oscillated, contact points extending-into the upper cavities substantially as set forth, an electric circuit, terminals mounted to be touched by the con- I ta'ct points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, elcctro responsive devices in said cir cuit to be energized by the current flowing through the said terminals and the contact points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, to oscillate said switch-bar after each operation thereof.

2. An electric switch including a switchbar fulcrumcd in the middle and verticallyv oscillatory and provided at its fulcrum with a chamber and two cavities extending from said chamber to the ends of said switch-bar said cavities being parallel with one above the other and connected at the outer ends of the switch-bar, a channel extending the full length of said switch-bar and above said cavities and in communication therewith at each end and at the middle of the switch-bar, a liquid electrical conductor in said switchbar and adapted to flow through the lower cavities from the central chamber to the outer ends in alternate directions as the switch-bar is oscillated, contact points extending into the upper cavities substantially as set forth, an electric circuit, terminals mounted to be touched by the contact points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, electro responsive devices in said circuit to be energized by the current flowing through the said terminals and the contact points in said switch-bar nearest its 'fiilcrum, to oscillate said switch-bar after each 0 )eration thereof.

3. An electric switch including a switchbar fulcrumcd in the middle and vertically oscillatory and provided at its fulcrum with a chamber and two cavities extending from said chamber to the ends of said switch-bar, said cavities being parallel with one above the other and connected at the outer ends of the switch-bar, a liquid electrical conductor in said switch-bar and adapted to flow through the lower cavities fronrthc central chamber to the outer ends in alternate directions as the switch-bar is oscillated. contact points extending into the upper cavities substantially as set forth, an electric circuit. terminal points mounted so as to be toucllcd by the contact-points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, a shaft on which said switch-bar is 'fulcrumed, a pair of opposite segments secured on said shaft, a solenoid in connection with each segment and in the said circuit.

4:. An electric switch including a switchbar fulcrumed in the middle and vertically oscillatory and provided at its fulcrum with a lower cavities of the liquid conductor, conterminals mounted to be touched by the con.-

tact points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, electro responsive d vices in said circuit to be energized by the current flowing through the said terminals and the contact points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, to oscillate said switch-bar after each operation thereof.

5. Ali electric switch including a switch bar centrally fulcrumed and vertically oscillatory and-provided at its'fulcrum with a chamber, two cavities extending from said chamber to the ends of said switch bar and being parallel one above the other and con nected at the outer ends of the switch-bar, a

with 'which the liquid electrical conductor as it seeks a level consecutively comes in contact, an electric circuit, terminals mounted to be touched. by the contact points in said switch bar nearest its fulcrum, means ener- I gized by the circuit established by the switch-bar through said contact nearest the said fulcrum for oscillating the switch-bar after each operation thereof.

6. An electric switch including a switch;

bar centrally fulcrumed and vertically oscillatory and provided at its fulcrum with a chamber, two cavities extending from said chamber to the ends of said. switch-bar and being parallel one above the other and connected at the outer ends of the switch-bar, a liquid electrical conductor in said switch-bar and adapted to flow through the lower cavities from the central chamber to the outer ends in alternate directions as the switch-bar an electric circuit, terminals mounted to be touched by the contact-points in said switchbar nearest its fulcrum, means energized by the circuit established by the switch-bar through said contact nearest the'said fulcrum for oscillating the switch bar after each operation thereof, terminals adapted to be switch-bar, a liquid electrical conductor in liquid electrical conductor in said switch-bar and adapted to flow through the lower cavities from the central chamber to the outer ends in alternate directions as the switchi bar is oscillated, a series of contact-points said switch-bar and adapted to flow through the lower cavities from the central chamber to the outer endsin alternate directions as the switch-bar is oscillated, contact points extending into. the upper cavities substantially as set forth, an electric circuit, terminal points mounted so as to be touched by the contact-points in said switch-bar nearest its fulcrum, a shaft on which said s'witchbar is fulcrumed, a pair of op osite segments secured on said shaft, a so enoid in connection with each segment and in the said circuit, a support underneath the switch-bar having stops thereon at each side of the center against which the switch-bar'will rest at the end of each movement thereof, terminals carried by said support and having resilient contact strips connected thereto toyieldingly engage and disengage the contact-points carried by the switch bar, substantially as de scribed. a i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN A. SHUNK, JOHN M. Soorr. 

